March Madness officially kicks off with the First Four played on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here’s what to know about the play-in games.
Why is the First Four always in Dayton? March Madness starts today: Teams, schedule and how to watch in 2026
The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament officially tips off with the First Four, a set of play-in games that determine the final teams in the 64-team bracket.
Before the traditional first round of March Madness begins, four matchups are played to finalize the tournament field. These games feature a mix of automatic qualifiers from smaller conferences and at-large teams competing for the final spots in the bracket.
Here’s everything to know about how the First Four works and who is playing in the 2026 tournament.
Why is the First Four always played in Dayton?
Every year, the First Four takes place at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The venue has hosted the play-in round since the format began and has become a staple of the opening week of the NCAA Tournament. The venue is centrally located and is under contract through 2026.
What is the First Four in March Madness?
The First Four was introduced in 2011, when the NCAA expanded the tournament field from 65 teams to 68 teams. The round consists of four play-in games:
- Two games between No. 16 seeds - typically conference champions from smaller leagues competing for a spot against a No. 1 seed.
- Two games between No. 11 seeds - at-large teams selected by the tournament committee that must play their way into the main bracket.
The winners advance into the official 64-team bracket, where they face higher-seeded opponents in the first round.
This year, the No. 16 teams competing are UMBC vs Howard and Prairie View A&M vs Lehigh. The No. 11 teams are Texas vs NC State and Miami (Ohio) vs SMU.
2026 March Madness First Four schedule
This year, all two games will be played on March 17 and two games will be played on March 18. Both will air on truTV.
Tuesday, March 17
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|
| 6:40 p.m. | (16) UMBC vs. (16) Howard | truTV |
| 9:15 p.m. | (11) Texas vs. (11) NC State | truTV |
Wednesday, March 18
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|
| 6:40 p.m. | (16) Prairie View A&M vs. (16) Lehigh | truTV |
| 9:15 p.m. | (11) Miami (Ohio) vs. (11) SMU | truTV |
What happens after the First Four?
The winners of these games move on to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, which begins March 19.
- The winner of UMBC vs. Howard will face No.1 Michigan.
- The winner of Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh will play No.1 Florida.
- The winner of Texas vs. NC State advances to face No.6 BYU.
- The winner of Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU will take on No. 6 Tennessee.
From there, the tournament continues through the familiar stages: First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the national championship.
Why the First Four matters
Although they are technically play-in games, the First Four has produced several memorable tournament runs. Teams that begin the tournament in Dayton have occasionally carried that momentum deep into March Madness, turning the opening round into more than just a warm-up for the main bracket.
For fans, it also marks the official start of one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year - three weeks of single-elimination college basketball that will end with a champion in early April.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment